Mind creates suffering
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| Title: | Mind creates suffering |
| Original title: | Горе от ума (Gore ot uma) |
| Genus: | comedy |
| Original language: | Russian |
| Author: | Alexander Sergejewitsch Griboyedow |
| Publishing year: | 1825 |
| Place and time of the action: | Moscow, in Famusov's house, ten years after Napoleon's Russian campaign |
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Mind creates suffering ( Russian Горе от ума , also under the title Woe to the mind ) is a comedy in four acts by Alexander Sergejewitsch Gribojedow , written in free iambic verse. It was created between 1822 and 1824 and was not officially published at first, but around 1825 it was so popular that its content could be assumed to be generally known. Mind Creates Suffering is one of the most influential plays in Russian literature .
content
first act
Sophie, who spent the night in her father's house with his secretary Moltschalin, is woken up by her maid Lisa. She wants to prevent Sophie's father (Famusow) from discovering the connection, and verbally rejects the old man when he suddenly appears and asks about his daughter. After leaving Sophie's room, Moltschalin meets her father, who confronts him. Moltschalin, who also lives in the house, says he has just returned from a walk. The father is still suspicious, but Sophie and Moltschalin serve up alibis for him. The father, in turn, makes it clear to her that she will not marry below her class.
Lisa and Sophie remember Tschatzkij, who grew up with Sophie but then traveled the world. Now he's back after three years and apparently in love with Sophie. But she doubts Tschatzkij, although he is clever and shrewd, he did not leave without a reason, and besides, she is in love with Moltschalin. Tschatzkij just appears in the Famusov's house and declares his love for Sophie. After his return from abroad, he asks about old acquaintances and describes them sharply, which Sophie is far too sharp-tongued.
Tschatzkij and Famusow also meet briefly, the latter asks him about his adventures in the world, but the former says goodbye for the time being and wants to return later.
Second act
Tschatzkij returns and brings himself into play with Famusow again as the bridegroom of his daughter. In principle, Famusov has nothing against it, but demands from Tschatzkij that he give up his vague ideas for improving the world and return to civil service. A dispute ensues, and Famusov warns Tschatzkij not to go too far. Tschatzkij, however, thinks the uncle is mad.
Colonel Skalosub appears, he chats with Famusow and talks about getting married. Famusov gossips about the youth and raves about Moscow and the good morals of the Moscow women until Chatzky interferes and begins to gossip about the military. Moltschalin has a riding accident outside. From Sophie's reaction, Tschatzkij realizes that she is in love with the victim. Molchalin is brought in. After a conversation with Sophie, who wants to defend her love for him against all talk, her maid Lisa remains alone with Moltschalin. This now makes her advances, but this fends off.
Third act
The act begins with a conversation between Tschatzkij and Sophie. The former tries to keep a neutral tone and tries to find out what Sophie really wants. Tschatzkij describes this as a mocking eccentric without compassion, which is why she prefers Moltschalin, as he is reserved and does not rise above others.
A meeting between Chatsky and Molchalin follows. The latter reports that at the time everyone was amazed when Chatzky resigned from civil service. When Moltschalin also expresses that he does not want to allow himself an opinion of his rank, it does not seem very plausible that Sophie fell in love with someone like that.
The soiree begins. Tschatzkij meets his friends Natalie and Goritschew, who are now married to each other. He has said goodbye to the military, and Tschatzkij quickly realizes that there is not much going on with him anymore. Prince and Princess Tugouchowskij appear next, along with their six daughters. They inquire whether Tschatzkij is still single and want to invite him over, but refrain from doing so when they find out that he has neither a job nor is rich.
Now Sophie begins her little intrigue: She tells a Mr N. that Tschatzkij is no longer very clear in his head, that is, crazy. Mr N. tells Mr D. about it right away. He tells Sagoretzkij on, who immediately invents a few details. Tschatzkij had just escaped from the insane asylum. He passes it on to Countess Chrumina, who has already suspected it. Her hard-of-hearing great-aunt, Countess Chrumina, doesn't really understand what Sagoretsky is telling her and thinks that Chatzkij is a Freemason and has therefore been demoted.
In the meantime, the news has also reached Famusov's sister-in-law, Chlestowa, as well as Goritschew and his wife Natalie, as well as Famusow, who remembers the morning conversation with Tschatzkij and claims that he was crazy. When Tschatzkij suddenly appears in the group, everyone is silent. Sophie asks him how he is and he monologues about the unbearable conditions in Russia. By the time it ends, everyone has lost themselves and is dancing or sitting at the gaming tables.
Fourth act
Night has fallen, the guests are going home, first of all the Goritschews. While Chatzkij is waiting for his carriage, Repetilov comes rushing to meet Chatzky, not because of the ball. He's just been to the English Club and raves about it. Tschatzkij is annoyed and looks for the distance. When Skalosub leaves the house, Repetilow texts him too, until he also makes off unnoticed. Sagoretsky, on the other hand, tells Repetilov the news of Chatzky's madness, but Repetilov doesn't believe it until it is confirmed to him by the royal family, who are striving for home.
Tschatzkij has now also noticed that everyone thinks he's crazy. In the meantime Lisa has gone to Moltschalin to ask him to see Sophie. Moltschalin approaches her again, but this time watched by Tschatzkij - and Sophie, who also secretly overhears the scene. She confronts Moltschalin and throws him out of the house. Tschatzkij regrets that in Sophie's favor he lagged behind an opportunist like Moltschalin.
Famusov woke up from the noise and settled accounts with everyone, Sophie is to be sent to an aunt, Tschatzkij is expelled from the house. In addition, Tschatzkij learns that it was Sophie who started the rumor about his madness. Chatzky's last monologue is an account of the gossip and hypocrisy he found in Moscow society; it draws him back out into the world.
Full text
- the comedy in the original Russian on Wikisource
- German translation from 1853 in Google book search